LIFE APPEARS

Christmas is Here with the Co-op!

8/11/2018

It's the most wonderful time of the year (nearly) and let's be honest, one of the best things about Christmas is the food. And what glorious food it is!

I couldn't resist any longer and have officially caved, one week into November and I've already started on mince pies. Don't judge me, these are delicious.

They taste just like the ones I used to make at home as a kid, just the right amount of crumbliness and I could honestly eat a whole box (but I won't.)

I also couldn't stay away from one of my favourite things in all the world.. lebkuchen. Again, the Co-op get this absolutely perfect and it's wonderful with a cup of coffee on a cold, grey afternoon.

I know I'm going to spend the next couple of months very happily eating my way through all the delicious food on offer at the Co-op this Christmas, and I can't wait to share more of it with you!

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Getting Serious About Your Health In Your 20s

7/11/2018

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Your health is one of the most important assets you’ve got, but it’s easy to take it for granted. In your teens and early 20s, you can feel like you’re indestructible - but that won’t always last. Good health is something that you need to work at, and taking some action now will benefit you both in the present and in the distant, distant future. Some simple changes are all you need to help you take a more grown-up approach to your health.

Ready to get serious about your health? Here are some tips on being healthy in your 20s.

Sort out your sleeping pattern
Having the right amount of sleep is absolutely vital for good health, yet so many young people fail to get enough. Striking the balance between too much sleep and not enough is important, and you should be aiming to get 6-8 hours a night. A lack of sleep can lead to all sorts of problems with your concentration and your mental health, while also starting to take its toll on your physical health. Have you tried blue light glasses? They could be a way to lessen the impact of using electronic devices before bed, helping you get to sleep easier at night.

Take care of your teeth
Most people want a nice, bright smile but having healthy teeth goes beyond how white they are. Your oral health is important for reducing your risk of heart disease, while dealing with toothache or gum problems is not a pain that anybody wants to experience. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss, use mouthwash and keep up with your dental appointments and keep the number of an emergency dentist to hand. Your teeth need to last you for life, so make sure you take care of them.

Get exercising
Exercise can offer so many benefits, but are you getting enough of it? The recommended physical activity guidelines for adults say that you need at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week to stay healthy, as well as strength-based exercises twice a week. From helping to keep you fit to maintaining a healthy weight, fitting exercise into your week is a no-brainer. If you struggle to find the time - try getting up earlier in the morning or exercising on your lunch break to help you get it done.

Think about what you eat
You’re always on the go in your 20s, and eating out or getting takeaway easily becomes a part of normal life. But is your diet considered healthy? In your 20s you might notice that it’s easier to gain weight, and a lot of that is down to diet. Take a more sensible approach to eating by making more food for yourself - meals out and takeaways should be a treat while the bulk of your diet should be packed with fruit and vegetables, as well as protein sources. Making a food plan is a good way to stick to a healthier diet, and could even save you money on your weekly food shop too.

There are a lot of things you can do to be healthier in your 20s, but you need to be willing to make the changes to your lifestyle. Get serious about your health now and enjoy the life-long benefits.

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Get Cosy with Aldi Specialbuys

30/10/2018

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Get Cosy with Aldi Specialbuys lifeappears.com

- Decorations not included in the range -

As the days get shorter and darker, and the weather gets colder I love getting my home ready to hibernate. I'm going to be spending more time inside so I want to be comfortable and cosy.

The new Specialbuys range from Aldi lets you do just that! I managed to get my hands on a couple of things that you can see in the photo above (and have ordered more that's on the way) so let's take a look at what's in the range:

Luxury Shaggy Rug - £29.99
Faux Fur Throw - £29.99
Faux Sheepskin Rug (see photo) - £14.99
Faux Fur Stool (see photo) - £14.99
Wood Burner Lantern - £9.99
Twig Lights - £9.99
Candle Centrepiece - £9.99
Sequin/Velvet Cushion - £8.99
Faux Fur Cushion - £8.99
LED Christmas Candle - £7.99

As always, the quality of the items in this range is top notch and as with all things Aldi, you feel like you're getting something worth much more than the price you pay.

I have the Faux Fur Stool and the Faux Sheepskin Rug at home and they might be the softest things ever. The stool is sturdy and just the right height for me to sit at when I do my makeup, bringing a comfortable hit of luxury to my morning routine. The rug feels like heaven underneath your toes so I placed it right next to my bed so it's the first thing my feet touch when I get up... it's amazing!

I've already got a Christmas candle on the way (I like to plan ahead) and some twig lights which I know are going to look great in my living room, and I'm hoping my local store will have one of the wood burner lanterns because they're sold out online (boo!).

If there's something from the range that you want to get your hands on, it's available right now instore and online, and I would definitely recommend that you do because it's all amazing!

Let me know if you do buy anything, and tell me how you get cosy for the colder weather down in the comments!

Stay safe, x

*This post includes PR samples, all thoughts & opinions are my own.

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Givenchy Noir Couture Mascara review

2/10/2018

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Givenchy Noir Couture Mascara reviewPicture

I'm always on the hunt for the "perfect" mascara and they're probably the makeup item I change the most (not a bad thing considering their short expiry date). So when I got this sample from Glamour Mag, I could not wait to get it on my lashes! So here's a short and sweet look at what I thought....

Givenchy's Noir Couture volume mascara is meant to bring volume and definition to your lashes for "sophisticated intense eyes".

In terms of application, this goes on like a dream. One sweep brings definition, length and volume without clumping.

Below is one coat with no other eye makeup... {shade: black tafetta}

For a more intense look, the Noir Couture mascara is easy to layer (make sure your first layer is dry though or it will clump) and doesn't flake or smudge.

It doesn't claim to be long-lasting but it didn't budge all day, even after a sweaty workout. It gets another big tick for removing easily despite it's long wear.

Overall, I really like this mascara from Givenchy and it's been my go-to for the last couple of weeks. I'll definitely keep using it and at £26 I'll probably buy a fullsize one when it's finished!

I'd love to know your opinion if you've tried the Noir Couture volume mascara, or if there's a different mascara you think I have to try, so please drop me a comment down below :)

Stay safe,x

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Creative Ways to Save Up for Your Deposit

27/9/2018

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If you have been dreaming about owning your own home, your greatest challenge might be coming up with enough money for your deposit. While - if you are a first time buyer - you can take advantage of some of the government incentives, and you can buy a home with only 5 percent put down, your repayments will be higher. Not to mention that the longer you leave getting on the property ladder the harder it will become.

Set Saving Goals
It is important that you take saving up for your deposit seriously. If you would like to be able to afford your dream home, you will need a detailed and actionable plan. Determine how long it will take you to save up enough money to get the house you always wanted. Once you have the deposit, you can start looking around, checking the market trends, and identify areas you can afford and are comfortable living at.

Make Your Money Grow
It is also crucial that you increase your knowledge about money and learn how to make smart investments. Look into high interest savings and CMC Markets so you can find out what you can do to speed up the process of growing your savings without risking too much. Instead of just jumping on a scheme, do your research and learn as much as possible about how different financial accounts work.

Make Sacrifices
There’s no gain without pain, and this is true when it comes to getting your first house. You will certainly need to make sacrifices; limit your luxury shopping and reduce the number of times you go out. You will also be able to learn new skills to budget better, to cook from scratch, and to get better deals on your car insurance, your subscriptions, and other services.

Look for Investment Properties
If you simply have no hope to buy a house that is ready to move in and is perfect for your lifestyle, you might want to search for investment opportunities. You can do the house up in your own time, and put up with the disorganisation or dated decor for a while. You will, however, need to make sure that the property is in an acceptable condition, or your mortgage company might refuse to lend you money to buy it.

Set Up a Side Gig
When your current income from work is hardly enough to live on, not to mention to save up for your deposit, you might want to think about putting your skills to good use and starting a few side gigs to increase your income. It can be as simple as looking after other people’s animals while they are on holiday, or creating videos for companies. No matter what your skillset is, there is a market out there.

If you can’t wait to get your own place and do it up according to your needs and personality, you will need to make some lifestyle changes. Use the above tips to create a long term plan to build up savings for your deposit.

*collaborative post*

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Christmas is Here with the Co-op!

Getting Serious About Your Health In Your 20s

Get Cosy with Aldi Specialbuys

Givenchy Noir Couture Mascara review

Creative Ways to Save Up for Your Deposit

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